Shooting convention photos for Bagpipe this time involved pre-production preparations that were far more tedious than expected. To faithfully embody the character's crisp combat prowess, I specifically selected a wig with immense volume and density, reaching almost down to my knees. The convention venue was quite muggy and warm that day, so having that thick, long orange hair draped over my back felt like wearing a heavy blanket—it didn't take long before my back started sweating. For the wardrobe, a dark teal cropped jacket was layered over a white collared shirt, accessorized with an ID badge at the neckline and small mechanical gear along the waist. These mechanical accessories were made of rigid materials, rubbing against the fabric whenever I made broad movements and keeping me worried about snagging the jacket. The lower half paired a red-and-black plaid pleated miniskirt with black over-the-knee socks (Stockings) and blue-and-yellow knee protectors strapped around the thighs. The platform high-top boots deserve special mention: while they looked undeniably badass, the soles were quite stiff, leaving the arches of my feet genuinely aching after walking back and forth between shoot locations across the venue.
Regarding the prop, that massive gunlance was undisputedly the centerpiece of the shoot, as well as the ultimate physical trial. The prop carried noticeable heft; hoisting it up and executing fluid combat moves demanded solid core power from the waist and abs—swinging it purely with arm strength would have caused muscle exhaustion in no time. To capture visually striking compositions, I tested various stances: shouldering the weapon sideways, thrusting it forward with one hand, and using the rotational momentum of a spin to swing the weapon into dynamic arcs. When the photographer snapped action shots, I sank my center of gravity as low as possible, because Bagpipe's combat stance needs to radiate power and explosive energy rather than looking delicate.
Lighting conditions at the convention were tricky; the overhead flat ambient lighting in the hall easily stripped subjects of three-dimensional depth. The photographer brought an off-camera flash, and we scouted a relatively clean background near the edge of the hall, utilizing side-backlighting to chisel rim highlights along my hair and the edges of the prop. To capture the precise moment when the hair billowed in the air, I repeatedly whipped my head and spun around quickly. Because the wig was so long, a few quick swings would cause tangles, requiring me to use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle it during downtime between locations. Touching up makeup was equally meticulous: beneath the heavy wig, the forehead and nasal wings easily became oily, requiring frequent blotting with tissues followed by setting powder touch-ups.
In terms of posing and emotional delivery, I strove to maintain a sharp, decisive presence. The red-and-black plaid skirt paired with black accents was visually slimming, especially the 'absolute territory' between the over-the-knee socks and boots, which elongated leg lines gorgeously on camera—an angle I deliberately showcased while posing. Mid-shoot, to ensure the weapon's metallic texture showed up crisply, I wiped the blade clean with tissues to remove fingerprints picked up during transit. Completing this photo set was a truly demanding yet solid convention photo experience in terms of physical stamina and meticulous detail. Behind every final image lies a repeated process of catching one's breath, chasing ideal light, and continually refining perspectives with the photographer.